Customer Reviews
Bang for the buck 
2007-01-23
I have researched home theater systems online for a long time before I rested at Denon 301.
Had a lot of reasons to choose it over Bose. Bose though sounds better in 5.1 system, but Denon beats the sound effects in 2.1 system. Overall the sound quality is crisp. Some improvements could have been a side hook up for the iPod for better asthetic looks, having a wire poping out right from the front of an otherwise fantastic looking machine is something i would not like to do. IPod synchronization was a breez.
Set up was a breez. Another thing lacking, or atleast i could not find was, spare parts for this model, e.g. extra or longer speaker wire. The unique/patented wiring for speaker connection is a negative as well, which means in future i cannot use any other speakers except denon.
I think its good bang for the buck, specially at a price that was offered by amazon at $ 999.
Denon S-301 
2007-01-14
Similar to others I experienced the intermittent loss of the DVD signal. This occurred with 2 different units. Denon support was difficult to contact and the retailer (Vanns) would do nothing more than take the return. I won't buy Denon or from Vanns again.
Here's the story with the Denon S-301 2007-01-12
I bought this home theater system from Crutchfield--not Amazon (because although Amazon is my overall favorite online store, the bad experience I had with a television purchase has made me vow to never buy another big-ticket item from Amazon ever again). Nevertheless, here's the deal with the video problem associated with the Denon S-301. According the Crutchfield tech support, any unit manufactured prior to June, 2006 will have a chance of producing the video error. The error I speak of is the random dropping of the video signal when viewing a DVD movie while connected to your television via HDMI. It took me a total of three returns before I found this out, but fortunately, Crutchfield picked up the tab all three times. Whether Amazon will do this for their customers, I do not know.
BEWARE if buying for IPOD INTERFACE 
2006-12-07
One of the main reasons for buying this system was for the IPod interface, which generally got quite positive reviews. However, when I hooked up my new 80GB IPod (40% full), I found the scrolling speed impossibly slow! Not just bothersome slow, but UNUSABLE slow.
So, if you plan on using this with the Ipod interface, and have visions of scrolling though a long list of artists while watching the Ipod display on your TV, beware. I spoke to Denon US, and they were aware of the problem. However, they say they have no solution and are not aware of any fixes coming out any time soon. In fact, the tech. I spoke to blames the problem on Apple. If so, any fix may be a long time coming, if ever.
Since Apple's scrolling feature is MUCH faster (especially the latest software version), I guess I will have to resort back to my old Apple dock and lose the TV/Denon interface.
Great Sound W/ a couple negatives 2006-11-05
My wife and I very much enjoy the sound this unit produces. Unfortunately the unit I received has the same problem experienced in other reviews. The video signal is lost momentarily and then returns. Very annoying! Also the 'HELP' function on the remote that initiates the on screen set up display, stopped functioning. Could not scroll up and down through the menus. Sending the unit back to Amazon. I have ordered the Sony DAV-X1. This unit has received more favorable reviews, and purchased for a lot less money.
Avoid this system 2008-05-26
This system is no longer manufactured, but I was very interested in getting the HDCD capability in addition to the other features, and when I saw that it was available as a cut-price refurb, I bought it. This was a mistake. I now find that the S-301 has numerous reports of video dropout problems, and I'm getting the same thing. Refurbished does not mean fixed. Do not buy it.
Great system... after 3 returns. 2007-04-29
I believe for the price its worth the money, but buyer beware it took me 3 returns to Crutchfield to find the perfect one. The first two systems kept on going black when playing back DVD movies.
I recommend sending it back right away if you start to see this happening.
I went with Crutchfield and not Amazon because Crutchfield return policy is great. All it took was a phone call to them and they right away sent me out a brand new system with prepaid postage with UPS.
I must say the box is heavy, and living on a 3rd floor was quite a workout to get it up the my living room. But luckily all you need to replace is the main component.
The sound is great and fills the room nicely. Also the quality via the HDMI cable is excellent.
If you are looking for a FULL 5.1 effect don't expect this system to deliver. I didn't notice a real distinction between 5 channels. The quality of the sound makes up for the absence of that affect.
Very Good - BUT... 2007-03-25
It's small, attractive, and feature-laden. But: as some people have mentioned, DVD playback occasionally drops out when connected via HDMI. From what I've read, this is a problem for units manufactured prior to September 2006 (check the date label on the bottom of the main unit). I recently had my newly-purchased July 2006-manufactured unit "fixed" by the Denon USA Factory Service Center in New Jersey to correct the problem under warranty, and I am very pleased that DVD playback now works as expected. The repair reports says:
upgraded software, reset C.P.U., replaced listed parts (p/n S301KIT1 - HDMI MOD KIT S301), checked/cleaned/tested all functions.
So you may want to go the warranty route if you can. Getting through to Denon on the phone isn't that easy, my typical wait time was about 40 minutes, and the CSR tried to tell me that the problem was the HDMI cable I was using. Be polite and persistent!
Consistent with Other Reviews 2007-03-16
I went to Magnolia (high end retailer) and they convinced me that I should get the Denon S-301 since I didn't want to install true surround sound and tear up the house. The best price they were willing to offer was $1300. So from a price perspective, you can't go wrong. Overall the sound quality is great. Installation was simple. Design is sleek. So no complaints....except one which others have mentioned on their reviews. When watching DVD's, the system does occassionally blink to a dark screen for a second. Only happens once or twice in a movie but a bid annoying. Other than that, so far so good.
The other reviews are dead on--this system rocks 
2007-03-15
I just received this system last week after ordering it off of Amazon and couldn't be more pleased. For people with space constraints I can't imagine a better small system for both home theatre usage and as a music stereo.
The "equivalent" Bose system is more expensive and doesn't sound anywhere nearly as good as this system--the depth and richness of music is unreal. And the iPod hookup is awesome; unlike other reviewers, I've found no lag time with the remote and the selection of my music. Everyone who comes over is stunned when my 50" plasma becomes my iPod screen--it's great for parties and such.
I never typically take time to write reviews, but this system has exceeded my expectations and I'd like everyone else to see what they're missing. On a side note, the other review I now plan on writing is for the Pioneer 5071-HD 50" plasma TV which is about $600 cheaper here than on best buy. An amazing buy as well and well worth it.
